Vocabulary ‘The River’ (Chapter 4):

Discuss the vocabulary before you read the chapter. Which words do you know? Are there any you are unsure of? Use a dictionary to clarify their meanings, or discuss them

with an adult!

Vocabulary Inference Explain Retrieve1. Which word on page

35 tells us that Fred said ‘fine’ in a rude way?

2. Find and copy one word on page 35 which means ‘rush’

3. Find and copy a group of words on page 38 which tell us that Con wasn’t feeling very well?

4. On pages 35-36, what clues are there that Fred is not as well as he says he is?

5. How do Fred’s school teachers see him? How is this different to his opinions of himself?

6. On page 35, why has the author chosen the green to be an ‘underwater, sunken-treasure colour’?

7. Explain why the author has put the word ‘ants’ in italics on page 38.

8. What are the most dangerous types of ant called (page 39)?

9. What does Fred compare Lila to when she is leading the pack (page 40)?

10. Which creature did they turn to for help (page 40)?

Comprehension Questions

Note: There is not enough space between each question to answer them in full! Please write the answers out in full sentences (where needed) on a piece of paper, in your book or on a word

document.

Vocabulary Inference Explain Retrieve1. Which word on page 35 tells us that Fred said ‘fine’ in a rude way? brusquely

2. Find and copy one word on page35 which means ‘rush’ surge

3. Find and copy a group of words on page 38 which tell us that Con wasn’t feeling very well? She was pale (and there were circles under her eyes)

4. On pages 35-36, what clues are there that Fred is not as well as he says he is? Clues could include the following:- Suddenly his head reeled, colours flashing

in double knots in front of his eyes. This suggests he is feeling dizzy and faint when he said he was fine.

- His lungs tied in a double-knot suggests he is short of breath or struggling to breath.

- The quote, ‘He tried to smile’ suggests that is was a struggle and that he was not ‘fine’ like he said he was.

- From the text on P36, we know that Fred has had pneumonia before which can make you very poorly. This can affect your lungs which may be why is states that ‘his lungs tied in a double-knot.’

5. How do Fred’s school teachers see him? How is this different to his opinions of himself? Fred’s school teachers see him as sensible and unobtrusive whereas he see’s himself as ‘hunger, hope and wire’ inside and that he has a quick mind. He wanted more from the world. He feels he hasn’t had the chance to prove himself yet.This is an example answer; others are possible as long as they are justifies reasonably.

6. On page 35, why has the author chosen the green to be an ‘underwater, sunken-treasure colour’?I think the author has chosen this noun phrase to suggest that what Fred has found is exciting and mysterious like hidden treasure.

This is an example answer; others are possible as long as they are justifies reasonably.

7. Explain why the author has put the word ‘ants’ in italics on page 38.The author has put this word in italics to stress that it is being spoken in a different tone/way to other words in the sentence. It puts an emphasis on the word and in that sentence you can assume Con is speaking louder, and possibly more sarcastically.

8. What are the most dangerous types of ant called (page 39)?The most dangerous ants are called bullet ants.

9. What does Fred compare Lila to when she is leading the pack (page 40)? Fred compares Lilia to an animal (a deer or a lemur).

10. Which creature did they turn to for help (page 40)? Theyturned to ants for a help. A trail of larger ants.

Comprehension Questions - Answers